"But you can use almost anything as a teaching moment."If no one else seems to be getting hurt, just explain to your child why you disapprove – out of earshot of the other family."That kid over there is putting his feet up on the train seats.Ultimately, failure to put their partner first was a sign these guys were not ready for a serious relationship, or at least not with those particular women, and that is totally normal.But it’s not cool to pay lip service to intentions of growing a serious, long-term relationship and from the onset demote your lover to second-rank — even before you message her on But when it's someone else's child acting up, things get stickier. What if the other child's parents are there but not taking charge?Try to keep your emotions in check in such situations: It's possible to respond politely to even the rudest behavior.The most interesting thing about the essay was the resulting shitstorm of controversy which landed Waldman on a much-viewed Oprah episode during which a hostile audience nearly attacked her. Cliche as it may sound: You gotta put yourself first. You must make it a top priority to hang out with other adults — girlfriends, dates, relatives and friends. Yes, that essay is a decade old, but it warrants a revisit because parents — mothers most especially — are still expected to make our children the center of our worlds, and I do love [my daughter]. It is not normal to spend all your time with children, nor make your offspring your primary emotional support.